Elevator-conveyor having cam operated baffle blades



June 1 1 1957 QJ. BoRRowDALE' 2,795,317

ELEVATOR-CONVEYOR HAVING CAM OPERATED BAFLE BLADES tb to (QINVEN TOR.

June'11, 1957 I o. J. BoRRowDALE 2,795,317

ELEVATOR-CONVEYOR HAVING CAM OPERATED `BAFFLEABLADES Filed May 11. 1953 y y 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 11, 1957 o. J. BoRowDALE ELEVATOR-CQNVEYOR HAVING CAM OPERATED BAFFLE BLADES Filed May 11 1955 '3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent -O ELEVATOR-CONVEYOR HAVING CAM OPERATED BAFFLE BLADES Grville J. Borrowdale, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 11, 1953, Serial No. 353,936

d Claims. (Cl. 198-167) This invention relates to improvements in an elevatorconveyor, that is, a mechanism for lifting or elevating material from a lower level to an upper level as a step in the conveying of such materials.

The present invention comprises a device which-may, in eiect, comprise a link in a conveyor system, wherein the material carried by the conveyor system is continuously raised from a lower level to an upper level, the 'device being characterized in that the effective lift ofthe material is relatively great compared to the distance traveled by the material.

Hoists or inclined conveyors have heretofore been proposed for raising material from a lower level to an upper level, but in substantially all cases where the material is lifted abruptly, as by means of usual bucket hoists, the operation is slow and the equipment is expensive, and where inclined conveyors are employed, the rate of lift relative to the linear travel of the conveyor belt is relatively low negativing the use of such conveyors Where the situs of the material being lifted provides only limited space.

in operating it is relatively low per unit of volume raised per unit of elective lift.

f A further feature of the present invention resides are movable into and out of the material to be elevated during the period of elevating the same to prevent undue slippage of the material, the blade, baille or partition means being insertedl into the material at the commencement of itslift and being withdrawn from the material after the lifting has been completed. v

Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of blade, baie or partition means which are movable radially into and out of the compartment into which the material is elevated. As an important feature of the present invention means is contemplated for simply and eiiiciently moving blades, batllles or partitions radially into and'out of an annular space or compartment provided in the device, said means comprising essentially a cam track with which the blades, baffles or partitions are associated, the arrangement being such that as the rotating frame comprising Va portion of the device rotates, -the blades, baffles ory partitions are cammed into and out of said annular space or compartment. v

Other objects and advantages of my presentinvention will be apparent from .the accompanying drawings fliciterdetailed @emptiesf In the drawings,

Fig. l is a front elevational view of the elevatori conveyor comprising the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the device, partly diagrammatic showing a modified form of cam track for moving the blades, baffles or partitions.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional View taken on l line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing the guide structure for the blade, baffles or partitions.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 1 indicates genthe stationary frame.

prises a plurality of radially positioned brace members 9 with interconnecting struts 10 which Iroughly define the path of travel of the outer periphery of the rotatable frame 3 and interconnecting struts 11 which roughly define the path of travel of the inner periphery of the rotatable frame.

The rotatable frame 3 comprises a pair of spaced annular plates 12 (Fig. 4) which are `carried at their inner edges by a plurality of transverse beams 13. Each transverse beam extends laterally outwardly from :the plates 12 providing opposite extensions 14. Annular inner races 15 are carried by the extensions which are radially spaced inwardly from annular outer races 16 which in turn are supported by spaced annular walls 17 comprising a portion of the stationary frame 2. Between the inner and outer races upon each side of the device rollers 18 are positioned, said rolllers functioning as bearings for the rotatable movement of the rotatable frame upon the stationary frame.

A ring gear 19 having internal teeth is carried upon the extensions 14 on one side of the rotatable frame 3,

said gear being in meshing relationship with a driving' gear 20 which is carried by shaft 21, the shaft, in turn, being journaled in a bearing 22 mounted upon one of the radial brace members 9. A platform support 23 is carried upon a plurality of the lower brace members 9, said platform being adapted to support a conventional gear reducing mechanism 24. The gear reducing mechanism 24v has an output shaft 25 upon which pinion 26 is mounted. The' pinion 26, in turn, meshes with a gear 27 carried uponI shaft 28 which is journaled Ain bearing 29 mounted upon. platform 23. Gear 27 also meshes with the driving gear 20 and in this fashion the driving gear 20 is driven by the output gear 26 of the gear reduction mechanism 24. An electric motor 30 is mounted upon support 31 which in turn is carried by the stationary frame within the rotatable frame 3. The shaft of the motor 30 carries a pinion 32 which meshes with idler gear 33 mounted upon shaft 34 which is journaled in bearing 35. The idler gear 33 also meshes with gear 36 mounted upon shaft 37 Whichcor-nprises the input shaft to the gear reduction mechanism 24. In this fashion the electric motor 30 drives the rotatable frame through the gear reduction mechanism together with the train of gears hereinbefore described being mounted upon the stationary frame and being positioned within the rotatable frame. An annular drum 38 is carried upon extensions 14 upon the opposite side of the rotatable frame from the ring gear 19. A pair of brake shoes 39 are adapted to make frictional contact with the inner surface of drum to retard or stop the movement of the rotatable frame Patented June 11, 1957l 3A 3 with respect` to the, stationary frame when desired. Each of the brake shoes 39 ispivoted as at 40 in Fig. 2 to a portion of the stationary frame and the opposite ends of the brake shoes are pivotally secured as at 41fto2p`iston rods 42- of hydraulic cylinder 43'. The' hydraulic cylinder 43 is mounted upon the stationary framewithin the rotatable frame and when iluid under pressure is introduced into said cylinder from a suitable source (not shown) the piston rods 42 are moved outwardly with respect to the cylinder 43l and the braking surfaces of the brake shoes 39 are applied to the inner surface of the brakedrum 38'.

The device 1 has associated therewith a pair of conveyors, a. feed'conveyor 44' anda discharge conveyor 45. The feed conveyor 44 comprises an endless conveyor belt` 46' which is supported at its upper pass upon a plurality of rollers 47, the rollers being mounted` upon opposite frar'nemembers 48. A plurality of guide rollers 49 are alsoV mounted upon the'. opposite frame members 48 and function to guide the belt 46 at its lower pass. The belt 46` is trained around end4 rollsl50, only one of.y which is illustrated. The opposite end roll (not shown) is disposed remote with respect to the device 1 and isl positioned adjacent the situs of the material to be conveyed into the device' 1.

The discharge conveyor is similar to conveyor 44 and comprises an endless conveyor belt 51 which is supported at its upper pass upon rollers 52 which, in turn, are carried upon opposite frame members 53. The lower pass of the belt 51v is guided by means of guide rolls 54 which are also carried upon the opposite frame members 53. The belt 51V is trained around end rolls 55, only one of which is shown.

Between the opposite annular plates 12 carried by the rotatable frame 2' a drum plate 56 extends, said drum platebeingy annular and being spaced from the outer edgesrof each of the plates 12. At the Vouter edges of each of the plates 12 an annular flange 57 is positioned, said flanges extending laterally outwardly from the surfaces ofthe annular plates 12. The purpose of annular flanges 57 will be hereinafter more fully described.

An endless belt 58 is trained around end rolls 59 and 60, the end roll 59 being disposed adjacent the lowermost position of travel of the rotatable frame and being disposed adjacent the end roll of the feed conveyor 44, The end roll 60 is disposed adjacent the uppermostportion of travel of the rotatable conveyor. A pair of oppositively spaced arcuate frame members 61 are carried upon transverse beams 62 which extend between the annular plates 17 of the stationary frame. A plurality of closely spaced rollers 63 are pivotally mounted upon the opposite frame members 61, said rollers having their axes disposed arcuately in substantial conformation to the arc described by the flanges 57 of the rotatable frame member. `The endless belt 58 during one pass from the end rolls 59 and 69 moves in contact with the faces of the arcuately disposed rollers 63 and also in contact with the outer surfaces of the opposite annular flanges 57 carried by the annular plates 12. Thus, belt 58 is spaced from the drum plate 56 carried by the annular plates 12 whereby anarcuate space 64 is provided between the drum plate 56 and the belt 58. On the return pass of the belt 58 over the end rolls 59 and 60 said belt is carriedaround a plurality o f guide rolls 65 and belt tightener rolls 66 all of which are rotatably mounted upon the stationary frame 2. p

Adjacent the feed end of the feed conveyor 44 a hood 67 is a mounted, said hood having side walls 68 and a top 69.` Thus, the material ycarried by the upper pass of the belt 46 as it enters the machine 1 is conned in the passageway provided by the hood 67.` Between end rolls 50 and 59 within the device 1 a bridge plate 70 is positioned and the material on the upper pass of the feed conveyor is delivered onto said bridge plate. At the upper portion of the end roll 59 the compartment 64 receives the material delivered from the bridge plate 7 0 and thus the material is transferred to the surface of belt 58 and is carried through the arcuate space 64.

It can readily be seen that as belt 58 travels from its lowermost position between flanges 57 and the surfaces of the rolls 63 the path of travel becomes steeper and hence there is a possibility that the material carried upon the belt 58 will begin to slip rearwardly upon said belt. As a feature of the present invention a plurality of spaced blades, bales or partitions are carried by the rotatable frame and, as will be hereinafter more fully described, said blades, baffles or partitions move radially into the space 64 and eventually occupy a position within said space which deters or inhibits the rearward sliding movement of the material carried upon the belt 58. In this fashion the material may be raised more or less abruptly.

To accomplish the inward and outward movement of the blades,bales or partitions into and out of the space 64 during the upward` travel of the belt 58 uponthe rotatable frame 3, the following described apparatus is employed:

Eachrof, the opposite annular plates 12 is provided with` a plurality of circumferentially spaced elongated apertures 71., the longitudinal axes of the apertures being disposed substantially radially with respect to the rotating frame. The apertures in the opposite plates 12 are disposed directly opposite each other and along the op posite longitudinal edges of each of the apertures guides 72 are positioned. A` block 73 is slidably positioned in each of the apertures 71 being guided for reciprocal motion therein by the guides 72. A pair of spaced bars 72 are connected at their opposite ends to a block 73 whereby reciprocating motion of the blocks 73 on the guides 72` result in radial movement of the bars 74 relative to the rotatable frame, the bars moving transversely to their length. Mounted upon the bars 74 in substantially bridging relationship thereto are plates 75 which are disposed in pairs, one plate being upon one edge of the bars and the other plate being on the opposite edge of the bars in alignment with the first mentioned plate. A plurality of said pairs of plates 75 are disposed along the length of the bars in spaced relationship.

Each of the plates 75 is provided with an aperture for the reception of a blade shank 76 which is adapted for free movement through said` apertures. A nut and washer arrangement 77 is positioned at one end of cach of the Shanks 76 whereby to prevent unintended movcment of the Shanks of the apertures in one direction. At the opposite end of each of the Shanks a blade, bafe or partition member 78 is carried, said blades being relatively flat. A coil spring 79 embraces each of the Shanks 76 and bears at one end upon a plate 75 carried by the bars 74 and at the opposite end upon the upper edge portion of the blade 78. In this fashion, the blades are resiliently mounted upon the bars 74. The drum plate 56 is provided adjacent each of the blades 78 with a slot 80 through which. the blades 78 may protrude into spaces 64. Associated with each of the blades 78 and mounted upon the inner face of the drum plate 56 is a set of guides 81, said guides including opposite rollers 82 4which bear upon opposite side edges of each blade 78. As will be hereinafter more fully described when the blades are thrust into lthe space 64 they penetrate the material carried in said space and hence movement of the rotating frame places a thrust upon each of the vblades on one face thereof. opposite face to which the thrust is applied whereby the blades are supported during their movement into and out of the material in space 64.

A stub shaft 83 is connected at each end of the bars 74 and extends outwardly from the opposite blocks 73. A roller 84 is rotatably positioned upon each end o f each stub shaft 83, each of said rollers carrying side flanges 85. As will be hereinafter more fully described the rollers 84 operate in conjunction with cam tracks whereby The rollers 82 are disposed against the t the bars 74 are moved radially with respect to the rotating frame and the blades 78 are reciprocated for movement into and out of the space 64. There are two cam tracks employed on each side of the stationary frame and each cam track comprises a pair of spaced rails 86, said rails being mounted upon supports 87 which, in turn, are mounted upon the annular plates 17 comprising a portion of the stationary frame. The rails 86 of each cam track are spaced to receive rollers 84 therebetween, the heads of each of the rails being embraced by the roller anges 85. The cam tracks on each side of the machine are the same and the parallel rails 86 describe an eccentric circle as indicated at 88 in Fig. 2. The eccentric circle described by the cam tracks has its major degree of eccentricity at the mid-point of the upward travel of the rotating frame 3 and its minimum eccentricity 180 removed from the maximum. f

The operation is such that as the rotating frame 3 is caused to rotate, the rollers 84 riding between the spaced rails 86 are guided by the eccentric cam tracks 88 and inasmuch as the rollers 84 are carried by the stub shafts 83 and that said stub shafts are carried by the sliding blocks 73 a reciprocating movement of the bars 74 takes place as the blocks 73 move in the guides 72. In this fashion the blades 78 move inwardly and outwardly with respect to the space 64. The disposition of the eccentric cam tracks 88 with respect to the rotating frame is such that when the rollers carrying a predetermined pair of bars 74 reaches the point of maximum eccentricity of the cam tracks 88, the blades will be extended to their maximum extent into this space 64. At both the bottom and top portions of travel of the rotating frame the blades 78 kwill be completely retracted from the space 64. Hence,

the cycle of movement of a predetermined blade 78 commencing at its lowermost position upon the rotating frame 3 is as follows. As the blade in question moves past the lowermost center of its travel with the rotating frame the blade begins to move radially outwardly into the space 64. As the movement continues, the blade continues to move radially outwardly until the upper mid-point of its travel is reached at which time the blade begins to retract and is completely retracted when the blade reaches its uppermost position of travel with the rotating frame. The trace line 89 indicates the position of the outer edge of a predetermined blade during its complete cycle of movement.

It can readily be seen that as the material to be elevated enters the space 64 and is carried upwardly by belt 58, the blades 78 begin moving into the space 64 and into the material being carried in said space. Thus, the blades 78 function as bafes or partitions in the space 64 and deter or inhibit the retrogressive movement of the material in said space as the angle of inclination of the belt 58 increases. After the material passes the horizontal position in its upward travel said blades begin to retract but at this period the material becomes more and more supported by the drum plate 56 until, at approximately the position of the end roll 60 the blades are completely retracted from the space 64.

A bridge member 90 is carried by the stationary frame and functions as a bridge between the upper portion of the rotating conveyor and the end roll 55 of the discharge conveyor 45. A passageway 91 is delined above the bridge member 90, said passageway being defined by spaced opposite side walls 92 and a top 93. The top 93 adjacent the end roll 60 ares upwardly as indicated at 94 in Fig. 2 whereby the opening to the passageway 91 is relatively enlarged. Adjacent the ared opening 94 the material being conveyed is essentially carried upon the surface of the drum plate 56 and hence said material moves into the passageway 91 and is pushed over the bridge 90. In view of the fact that the bridge 90 is stationary the material delivered to the passageway 91 would tend to pile up. However, by virtue of the fact that the passageway is a coniined passageway the material 6 must of necessity move toward the upper .pass of the conveyor belt 51 and is thus delivered fromthe device 1.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3 a modiied form of cam track is illustrated. In said iigure all of the other apparatus hereinbefore described is the same and without further description corresponding reference numerals will be applied to the identical parts shown. The only difference comprises the shape of the cam tracks employed in urging the blades 78 inwardly and outwardly with respect to the space 64. In the form of cam track illustrated in Fig. 3 said track comprises parallel rails 95, which are similar to rails 86. The track for substantially half its distance is disposed concentric with the rotating frame as indicated at 96. At the lower portion of travel of the rotating frame the rails bend radially outwardly as indicated at 97 and thereafter during substantially the entire upward travel of the rotating frame the rails are concentric with the rotating frame as indicated at 98. Adjacent the end r'oll 60 and the entrance to the passageway 91 leading to the discharge conveyor 45 the railsV are bent radially inwardly as indicated at 99.

The arrangement is such that as the rollers 84 move through the opposite cam tracks 95 the blades 78 are maintained in their retracted position during travel of the rollers 84 between the rails 96. As the rollers move between the portion -of the rails 97 the blades 78 are moved outwardly into the space 64 and said blades are maintained in this outward position during substantially the upper travel of the rotating frame until the portion 99 of the cam track is reached wherein the blades are again retracted.

It is to be understood that cam tracks such as illus trated in Figs. 2 and 4 may be employed or cam tracks such as illustrated in Fig. 3 may be employed to move the blades 78 inwardly and outwardly with respect to the space 64.

In the event that the material conveyed contains large hard lumps it is entirely possible that when the blades 78 move inwardly into the space 64, penetrating into Vthe material, one or more of the blades may encounter a hard lump such as illustrated at 100 in Fig. 4. In view of the fact that the blades 64 are resiliently mounted upon the bars 74 the outward radial movement ofthe bars 74 tending to move the blades 78 into the space-64 will permit such'movement unless the resistance encountered by the blades is sufficient to compress the coil springs 79. As illustrated in Fig. 4 the blades 78 which encounter the lump have `their associated coil springs relatively compressed whereby injury to the blades and the blade mounting mechanism is prevented. v

Although relatively at blades 78 are shown and described, it is to be understood that they may take any de# sired sectional shape depending upon the nature of the material which they penetrate.

I claim as my invention: l

l. An elevator-conveyor comprising a relatively stationary frame, a relatively movable frame mounted upon said stationary frame for rotation upon said stationary frame, an annular drum plate carried by said rotatable frame adjacent the periphery thereof, an endlessV member wrapped around a portion of the periphery of the rotatable frame and radially spaced outwardly from said drum plate to define with said drum plate an annular space for the reception rof material to be elevated and conveyed, means for rotating said rotatable frame with said endless member upon said stationary frame, a plurality of groups of projecting members carried incircumferentially spaced relationship to each other upon said rotatable frame and movable through apertures provided in said drum plate substantially radially into and out of said annular space, each group of projecting members comprising a plurality of projecting members, an endless cam track carried by said stationary frame and having portions differentially spaced from the center of rotation of avgstv ary frame, la relatively movable frame mounted upo'ri saidy stationary frame for rio'tationin a substantially vertical plane, an annular drum plate carried by `said rotatable frame adjacent Vthe peripherythereot, a ilexible endless member wrapped around a portion'of the periphery of the rotatable frame upon the upwardly moving side and radially spaced outwardly from said drum plate to denne with said drum plate an annular space for the reception of material Ito be elevated and conveyed, means for rotating said rotatable frame with said endless member upon said stationary frame, a plurality of groups of blades carried in circumferentially spaced relationship upon said rotatable frame land movable through apertures provided in said drum plate substantially radially into and out of said annular space, each group of blades comprising a plurality of uindividual blades aligned parallel to the axis of said rotatable frame, an endless cam track carried by said stationary frame and having portions differentially spaced 4from the center of rotation of said rotatable frame, and cam means carried by cach group of said blades engageable with said cam track for moving said blade groups radially inwardly and outwardly relative to said annular space.

3. An elevator-conveyor comprising a relatively stationary frame, a relatively movable frame mounted upon said stationary frame for rotation in a substantially vertical plane, an annular drum plate carried on the periphery of the rotatable frame, a flexible endless member wrapped around a portion of the periphery of the rotatable trame upon the upwardly moving side and radially spaced outwardly from said drum plate to dene with said drum plate lan annular space for the reception of material to be elevated and conveyed, means for rotating said rotatable frame with said endless member upon said stationary frame, a plurality of groups of blades carried in circumferentially spaced relationship upon said rotatable frame and movable through apertures provided in said drum plate substantially 4radially into and out of said annular space, each group of blades comprising a plurality of individual blades spaced laterally from each other, an end less cam track carried by said stationary frame and eccen trically disposed with respect to the center of rotation of said rotatable frame, and except cam means carried by each of said groups of blades engageable with said cam track for moving said blades radially inwardly and outwalrdly relative to said annular space.

4. An elevator-conveyor comprising a relatively stationary frame, a relatively movable frame mounted upon said stationary frame for rotation in a ysubstantially vertical plane, an annular drum plate carried on the periphery of the rotatable frame, an endless member wrapped around a portion of the periphery of the rotatable frame upon the upwardly moving side thereof and radially spaced outwardly from said drum plate to provide an annular space for the reception of material to be elevated and conveyed, means for rotating said rotatable frame with said endless member upon said stationary frame, a plurality of sets of aligned blades carried in eircumferentially spaced relationship upon said rotatable frame and movable through apertures provided in said drum plate substantially radially into `and out of said annular space, an endu 8 less earn trackI carried by said stationary frame and havg ing potions differentially spaced from the center of rotation of said rotatable trame, and cam means carried `by each set of blades engageable with said cam track for moving said sets of blades radially inwardly and outwa`rdly relative to said annular space.

5. An elevator-conveyor comprising a relatively stationary frame, a relatively movable frame mounted upon said f stationary frame for rotation upon said stationary frame,

a pair of spaced annular walls carried upon said rotatable trame, an annular drum plate connected between said spaced annular walls and spaced radially inwardly from the peripheries of said annular walls, an endless member wrapped around a portion of the peripheries of said annular walls and radially spaced outwardly from said drum plate to define with said drum plate an annular space for the reception of material to be elevated and conveyed, means upon said stationary frame for rotating said rotatable frame with said endless member, a plurality of pairs of radially disposed guides carried by said annular walls in opposite relationship to each other, a block reciprocally carried in each of said guides, blade-support ing means carried by each pair of opposite blocks, a plurality of blades carried by each of said blade-supporting means for movement through apertures provided in said drum plate into and out of said annular space, an endless cam traclt mounted upon said stationary frame adjacent each spaced annular wall, cam means carried by each block for engagement with said cam tracks for moving said blocks in said guides when said rotatable frame rotates to move said blades inwardly and outwardly relative to said annular space.

6. An elevator-conveyor comprising a relatively stationary frame, a relatively movable frame mounted upon said stationary frame for rotation upon said stationary frame, a pair of spaced annular walls carried upon said rotatable frame, an annular drum plate connected between said spaced annular walls and spaced radially inwardly from the peripheries thereof, an endless member wrapped around a portion of the peripheries of said annular walls and radially spaced outwardly from said drum plate to define with said drum plate an annular space for the reception of material to be elevated and conveyed, means upon said station-ary frame tor rotating said rotatable frame with said endless member, a plurality of pairs of radially disposed guides carried by said annular walls in opposite relationship to each other, a block reciprocally carried in each of said guides, blade-supporting means carried by each pair of opposite blocks, a plurality of blades resiliently carried by each of said blade-supporting means for movement through apertures provided in said drum plate into and out of said annular space, au endless cam track mounted upon said stationary frame adjacent each spaced annular wall, cam means carried by each block for engagement witlrsaid cam tracks for moving said blocks iu said guides when said rotatable frame rotates to move said blades inwardly and outwardly relative to said annular space.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 12,095 Gage Dec. 19, 1854 1,190,236 Ayars July 4, 1916 1,527,724 Wool Feb. 24, 1925 2,595,177 Stevens Apr. 29, 1952 2,608,283 Oehler Aug. 26, 1952 

